Oil Filter Issues

First time poster, major issues. So new to the Tacoma community, hello everyone.

Here I am attempting to change my oil for the first time and I am having issues. I was a jeep owner before and have changed my own oil for years. Here I am trying to remove the oil filter and having some difficulty. The filter has been placed and tightened so tight that it will not come off. I have bought an oil filter wrench and instead of removing the filter, it has torqued it like a can of soda and twisted it in place. Now the oil remaining has drained out but I have this twisted, cracked filter hanging off the engine....wtf? Thanks for the help, now and in the future.

1. Get a strap type filter wrench, put it as close to the bottom of the filter as you can.

2. Get a hose clamp large enough to go around the filter. Put it on as close to the bottom of the filter as you can, with clearance around the screw housing. Tighten it well. Use the screw housing as a leverage point to turn the filter.

3. Stab the filter all the way through with a long, heavy screwdriver. Break it free with the screwdriver.

HHmm. I'm not to sure what would work. Is this the original filter?
My only two ideas are to heat it, which would be really hard because of it's location.
Or get 2 pairs of pliers clamp onto it and try and twist. Don't let any metal shavings fall into the hole.

You could take chisel or similar and using a hammer gently tap it against the rim of the base so as to loosen it. Similar to the approach used to loosen the top on a jar that won't come off by taking a non-sharp general use kitchen knife and hitting the outer rim of the top in the direction of the spin that loosens the top

Maybe you have different Tacomas than I have but there isn't much room to work with down there. I'm gonna wait till daylight to make another attempt but I don't know where you have room to fit in a chisel and hit it with a hammer.

Maybe you have different Tacomas than I have but there isn't much room to work with down there. I'm gonna wait till daylight to make another attempt but I don't know where you have room to fit in a chisel and hit it with a hammer.

MTNGURU, do you have the 2.7 4 cylinder engine? If so, I have the same, and had the same issue on my first oil change. I ended up crushing the filter just like yourself with a strap wrench and had to shove a massive Phillips head screw driver straight through the filter in order to break it loose. It was one hell of a chore getting the screw driver in the filter due to the lack of room to hit it with a hammer, but it can be done. Just take your time and be patient. It will come off eventually. You can thank automated assembly systems for your troubles..

MTNGURU, do you have the 2.7 4 cylinder engine? If so, I have the same, and had the same issue on my first oil change. I ended up crushing the filter just like yourself with a strap wrench and had to shove a massive Phillips head screw driver straight through the filter in order to break it loose. It was one hell of a chore getting the screw driver in the filter due to the lack of room to hit it with a hammer, but it can be done. Just take your time and be patient. It will come off eventually. You can thank automated assembly systems for your troubles..

My wife's Xterra was like that the first time, they torque them from the factory like crazy...I tried my hardest and eventually took it to sears and let them deal with it...and any problems if they broke it.

Regardless, that doesn't help right now. I suggest the same, use a screw driver. For future attempts (or anyone else reading this), try warming up the engine first. Besides allowing the oil to flow out better during the change, it warms up the area around the filter and may allow it to be removed easier.

On my 2.7 the original oil filter was extremely tight also. I was able to break it loose using a pipe wrench. It is tight under there and you have to wiggle it around some to get it on the filter. It worked for me so it might be worth a try.

I had the same problem with my first change. Two trips to the store and I finaly had a nice spring loaded filter wrench that fits on the end of an extension. It tore into both sides as it clamped tighter before the filter let loose and started to spin. Be carful not to damage the mount as others mentioned. Good luck.